Political career He was Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. Therefore it is regarded as “Father of the Nation.” He practiced a strict regime in the social, but profoundly capitalist economy that drove the young nation to become one of the most competitive countries in the world. During his tenure promoted the idea of Asian values, compared to the concept of Western democracy, as a development model for East Asian societies.Thus, the Singapore government has been characterized by the strict application of its regulations, with controversial measures such as trading ban chewing gum. also have sometimes been controversial social engineering attempts, or the idea build a Greater China consists of Chinese around the world. “The affinity of race, culture and language is the basis of business relationships,” he once said. Some observers believe that some of its measures have contributed to the economic success of Singapore, famous for its clean streets and low crime rates. However, others have denounced the authoritarian character, accusing Lee of being a dictator.Lee, despite leaving the post of prime minister in 1990, has continued in the government as minister without portfolio, first as Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as prime minister until 2004, and since then Minister Mentor, for when his son Lee Hsien Loong replaced Goh Chok Tong as prime minister, the latter took over as Senior Minister.